Seniorcise: A print exercise intervention for older adults

This study was conducted to examine the efficacy of an inexpensive educatio nal print exercise intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) f or older adults. Secondary objectives of this study were to examine the qua lity of the print intervention and possible ways to improve it through surv ey techniques. This was a posttest survey design. Information about the Sen iorcise booklet was distributed to senior housing communities and recreatio n centers throughout Rhode Island. One hundred thirty-three posters and 5,2 80 pamphlets with return postcards for ordering the Seniorcise booklet were delivered over a period of nine months. Individuals who requested the book let were contacted via telephone two weeks following mailing to assess the efficacy and quality of the booklet. Ninety-eight individuals requested the booklet and 61 participants completed the evaluation (mean age = 73 +/- 5. 3 years; 77.1% female). The majority of participants found the booklet of g ood quality, stated that it created an interest, and said it inspired them to actually engage in physical activity. Survey participants cited only a f ew main good points and negative points about the booklet in general. The u se of an inexpensive educational print intervention (Seniorcise) based on t he TTM was well received and successful in engaging older adults to conside r and participate in physical activity. The positive and negative points ci ted about the booklet will allow other researchers a better insight into wh at can make educational print interventions successful. Experimental resear ch designs are recommended to evaluate more fully the efficacy of future ex ercise based print interventions.